Full Text Review(s)
"Mae loves a new project, and Aunt Susan has given her a doozy! One of her chickens is unhappy and she wants Mae to take care of her. While the child is always up for a challenge, she’s not the best at completing tasks. Sure enough, when the chicken arrives, she throws herself headlong into making Matilda content in her new home. Soon, though, Mae grows tired of cleaning up after her, and when she refuses to eat and starts shedding feathers, the girl turns to more interesting and less frustrating projects. News of Aunt Susan’s impending visit refocuses her attention and she tries to do something to keep the bald chicken warm. She knits her a jacket full of fun and noisy trinkets and when Matilda disappears, it is the trinkets that lead to her whereabouts. Matilda has a mission in mind and readers will smile to learn what it is. Handcrafted puppets wearing cheery clothing are posed, photographed, and digitally colored to give this charming selection a down-to-earth quality that matches the story perfectly. This is a fun choice about a well-meaning but easily distracted young heroine. It will make readers chuckle aloud."